Will Smith was 'stressed and daunted' playing Genie in the Aladdin remake after the late Robin Williams' iconic performance in the role... but feels he's brought 'Fresh Prince flavour' to it

Will Smith has admitted he found it 'stressful and daunting' taking on the role of Genie in the live-action remake of Disney's Aladdin.

The actor felt that the 'spectacular' performance the late Robin Williams gave to the role in the 1992 animated original proved to be a very difficult shadow to step out of.

Speaking to MailOnline before entering the European Gala Premiere of the film in London's Leicester Square on Thursday, Smith said: 'It was quite stressful and daunting, Robin Williams didn’t leave much room to improve on the genie!

Will Smith has admitted he found it 'stressful and daunting' taking on the role of Genie in the live-action remake of Disney's Aladdin

'You know that’s what Robin Williams gave to the genie that was spectacular, and that was the thing that I was working really hard to capture but give it my flavour.

'The genie will say anything or do anything, there’s a certain madness to the genie - that was the fun that Robin Williams created so I was trying to find what that meant, with a little more of a Fresh Prince flavour to it.

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'I wanted to create something that was both nostalgic but also had a little bit new school sometimes.'

Williams voiced Genie in the original Aladdin, as well as the direct-to-video third film in the original franchise, Aladdin And The King Of Thieves.

Hard shoes to fill: Smith felt that the 'spectacular' performance the late Robin Williams gave to the role in the 1992 animated original proved to be a very difficult shadow to step out of [pictured voicing the role in 1992]

Iconic role: Williams voiced Genie in the original Aladdin, as well as the direct-to-video third film in the original franchise, Aladdin And The King Of Thieves [pictured at the third movie's premiere in Los Angeles in 1996]

Smith went on: 'You know that’s what Robin Williams gave to the genie that was spectacular, and that was the thing that I was working really hard to capture but give it my flavour'

Bringing the fun: 'The genie will say anything or do anything, there’s a certain madness to the genie - that was the fun that Robin Williams created so I was trying to find what that meant,' Smith said

He sat out the first sequel, The Return Of Jafar, following a contractual dispute with Disney at the time.

After returning for the third film, Williams voiced Genie in the character's own mini-series, Great Minds Think For Themselves. He later died in 2014.

The Simpsons star, Dan Castellaneta, filled in for Williams for The Return Of Jafar and the subsequent Aladdin TV series.

Smith went on to chat about Guy Ritchie, the director of the film, and his vision of the live-action Genie: 'Guy Ritchie had a very specific tie on what he wanted the genie to look like, he kept saying 1970s body builder!

Geni-ous! After returning for the third film, Williams voiced Genie in the character's own mini-series, Great Minds Think For Themselves. He later died in 2014

Quick off the mark: Smith was the first member of the cast to join, signing on to portray Genie in July 2017

Princely: Smith said that he wants his Genie to have 'a little more of a Fresh Prince flavour to it'

'He said he wanted him to look like one of those body builders whose upper body is really huge and the legs are really small because they missed leg day so that was the comedic take of how he wanted him to look.'

Aladdin is the second of 2019's live-action remakes from Disney - in a year that sees Dumbo, The Lion King and Lady And The Tramp brought to life.

Smith joined co-stars Naomi Scott and Mena Massoud on the 'magic carpet' for the movie's European debut at the Odeon Luxe.

Smith went on to chat about Guy Ritchie, the director of the film, and his vision of the live-action Genie: 'Guy Ritchie had a very specific tie on what he wanted the genie to look like, he kept saying 1970s body builder'

He added: 'He said he wanted him to look like one of those body builders whose upper body is really huge and the legs are really small because they missed leg day so that was the comedic take of how he wanted him to look'

Looking fresh: The Independence Day hunk, 50, grinned as he rocked a gingham two-piece suit, in cream, beige, black and white at Thursday's premiere

Massoud takes on the titular role of the poverty-stricken 'street rat' who happens upon a magic lamp, conjures up a genie and wins the heart of Princess Jasmine [Scott].

Also in attendance was director Ritchie and his wife Jacqui Ainsley. Actor Marwan Kenzari also took to the purple carpet. He will portray villain Jafar, who enslaves Genie and attempts to seduce Jasmine.

Aladdin has been co-written by John August and also stars Navid Negahban, Nasim Pedrad, and Billy Magnussen.

Disney announced the project in the autumn of 2016, following the success of live-action versions of The Jungle Book, Beauty And The Beast, Cinderella and Alice In Wonderland and it's sequel Through The Looking Glass.

Fan fave: Smith looked delighted to be in London, posing for snaps and happily interacting with fans

Magic carpet ride: Smith larked around on the carpet as he joined his co-stars for the event

A laugh a minute: The notoriously-jovial Smith seemed to emulate his bouncy Genie persona as he laughed and joked around on the purple carpet

Smith was the first member of the cast to join, signing on to portray Genie in July 2017, and later that month Massoud and Scott were confirmed for the two lead roles.

The movie was shot at Longcross Studios in Surrey, England, and in the Wadi Rum Desert in Jordan.

Later this year, The Lion King will hit cinemas, as will Maleficent: Mistress of Evil [based on Sleeping Beauty] and Lady And The Tramp.

Further live-action remakes in the works include Pinocchio, The Little Mermaid, Lilo & Stitch and The Hunchback Of Notre Dame, with Cruella [based on 101 Dalmations] and Mulan set for 2020 releases.

I can show you the way: Mena Massoud and Naomi Scott portray the lovers in the movie

Feisty: Scott plays the role of Princess Jasmine, who tries to defy her father's attempts to force her into an arranged marriage and instead falls for Aladdin

Hero: Aladdin makes three wishes via the magic lamp - one of which involves transforming into a prince to win the heart of Jasmine

Smith looked delighted to be in London, posing for snaps and happily interacting with fans.

The Independence Day hunk, 50, grinned as he rocked a gingham two-piece suit, in cream, beige, black and white.

Underneath, he wore a V-neck mustard sweater and added shiny brown loafers to the ensemble.

The notoriously-jovial star seemed to emulate his bouncy Genie persona as he laughed and joked around on the purple carpet.

Aladdin arrives in cinemas on May 24.

Peace! Will was in high spirits as he headed home after the Aladin premiere after party

Dapper: Will looked sharp in a navy two-piece suit which he teamed with a black jumper

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Will Smith was 'stressed and daunted' playing Genie in the Aladdin remake after Robin Williams